The 2024 MLB season is nearing its thrilling conclusion, and the race for the Cy Young award remains fiercely contested. With just over five weeks of play left, voters will soon be ranking their top five pitchers on their ballots. The competition is diverse and intense, featuring standout performances from several pitchers across the league.
AL Pitching Leaders Stand Out
Leading the pack is Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, whose season stats have caught the attention of baseball aficionados everywhere. Skubal tops the majors in ERA and ERA+, with an impressive record of 14-4. His dominance is further highlighted with league-leading numbers in strikeouts, FIP, and strikeout rate in the American League. Despite the Tigers holding a 44-56 record in games where he doesn’t start, Skubal's individual performance has been nothing short of stellar. His commanding lead in both Baseball Reference's and FanGraphs' WAR reveals just how valuable he has been this season. Additionally, Skubal has achieved a new career high in innings pitched.
Challenges for Veteran Contenders
Meanwhile, San Diego's Seth Lugo has also enjoyed a notable season, amassing 166 2/3 innings and a record of 14-7. His 3.02 ERA and 1.09 WHIP have been consistent, although his recent form—posting a 5.24 ERA over his last seven starts—raises some concerns as the season winds down. Logan Gilbert of the Mariners is another contender, with a 2.96 ERA while leading the league in WHIP at 0.88. Gilbert is second only to Lugo in innings pitched, demonstrating endurance and reliability for Seattle. However, the Mariners, who enjoyed a ten-game lead in June, have stumbled considerably since then, affecting their postseason aspirations.
National League Notables
Over in the National League, Corbin Burnes of the Brewers boasts a 12-5 record with a 3.10 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings. However, his form has dipped this month, with a concerning 9.00 ERA over his last three starts. Emmanuel Clase, although a reliever, has been spectacular with 37 saves out of 40 opportunities. His 0.63 ERA and 0.66 WHIP alongside 49 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings underscore his dominance in high-leverage situations.
Other strong contenders in the NL include Framber Valdez, who has a 13-5 record with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP through 137 2/3 innings. Logan Webb leads the majors in innings pitched with 164 2/3 innings and has posted a solid 11-8 record with a 3.17 ERA. Zack Wheeler also stands out with a 12-5 record, a 2.72 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and 162 strikeouts in 148 2/3 innings, making a case for his place in the upper echelons of elite pitchers.
Young Talents and Breakout Stars
Exciting newcomers have also entered the scene, with Paul Skenes making an impact with a 7-2 record, a 2.30 ERA, and 121 strikeouts in just 98 innings, resulting in a 4.0 WAR. Hunter Greene, despite an elbow injury, has managed a 2.83 ERA with 162 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings and leads the majors in hit batsmen. Another standout performance comes from Ronel Blanco, who threw a no-hitter in his first outing and has maintained a 2.89 ERA with 130 strikeouts in 134 innings.
Reynaldo López has quietly posted a 2.06 ERA across 104 2/3 innings, illustrating the depth of talent in the league this season. These performances, both among veterans and emerging stars, suggest that this year’s Cy Young voting will be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
As the race for the Cy Young award heats up, baseball fans have much to look forward to, with numerous pitchers demonstrating both excellence and resilience on the mound. The final weeks of the season will undoubtedly provide clarity on who will ultimately be crowned as the best pitchers of the 2024 MLB season.